Malapoa College spearheads healthier meals with Sino-Van Fish purchase initiative
March 16, 2024 11:03 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris.
Malapoa College has become the first boarding school in Port Vila to purchase a tonne of fish from Sino-Van Fisheries Limited (Ltd).
This substantial purchase is part of a broader initiative by Sino-Van to encourage schools across Port Vila, and eventually Vanuatu, to incorporate more locally sourced fish into their meal programs.
The initiative offers competitive prices for various fish types, with Albacore tuna priced at VT950 per kilo, premium tuna at VT1,000 per kilo, and other varieties sold at VT600 per kilo. Additionally, marlin fish is available for VT900 per kilo.
“Malapoa College is currently purchasing a tonne of fish, and during their purchase, we usually offer them a 15% discount. I encourage other schools to feed our children with fish, which is fresh and of high quality compared to other meats that can cause illness, such as chicken,” said Sino-Van Project Coordinator, Vincent Kapalu.
“Today across Vanuatu, we hear about many different types of illnesses, largely due to the overconsumption of chicken. Despite knowing the products used to feed the chickens, fish is a meat that comes from our ocean, which is much better, safer, and healthier.
“Next week, the General Manager and I will travel to Santo to discuss with schools, restaurants, and hotels, introducing them to the same products available in Port Vila from Sino-Van.”
He also mentioned that Sino-Van currently operates within the local market; although efforts to export have been made, it is currently not feasible. Therefore, the focus is on selling locally, with expectations of increased fish availability once the cannery is operational.
“I want to thank the Government of Vanuatu for their support in assisting the company.
“I would also like to express gratitude to every hotel and school that purchases fish from Sino-Van, especially the local customers who buy fish daily,” he added.
According to Jackson Obed, the chef at Malapoa College’s kitchen, the students greatly enjoy the fish purchased from Sino-Van. “We sometimes prepare it as a stew, other times we grill it and add sauce, and we also use coconut milk in the preparation. So, when the children taste it with our local food, such as mashed cassava, they really enjoy it,” he explained.
Chef Obed replaced Alistair Arthur last year, who initially had no menu at the Malapoa kitchen. However, the school kitchen now has a menu, which includes fish in coconut milk, mashed manioc, and vegetables every Tuesday for lunch and Wednesday for dinner.
The Deputy Principal reported that the school consumes over 100 tons of fish per meal. The school highly values Sino-Van Fishing Ltd for its efforts and establishment, as Sino-Van consistently provides fish whenever needed.
Sino-Van is a joint project of the Vanuatu Government and the China National Fishery Corporation (CNFC), launched in 2019 by the current Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai.
